Method and apparatus for passing a suture

ABSTRACT

A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, and a guide tube. The handle has an actuator movable between first and second positions. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/348,016, filed on May 25, 2010. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/114,488 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture”,filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is alsoincorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to tissue fixation; and moreparticularly relates to a method and apparatus for passing a suturethrough tissue.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

In an anatomy, such as a human anatomy, various surgical procedures areoften performed to repair or replace various portions thereof. Forexample, soft tissues of the body may tear or separate from bones due totrauma, overuse, surgical intervention, or disease. These soft tissuescan be repaired and/or reattached using sutures or other fasteningdevices (e.g., screws, staples, or various types of suture anchors).

One means to repair a soft tissue, such as a labral tear, is to thread asuture through a selected portion of the soft tissue. The suture isretrieved from within the surgical site and the free ends of the suturemay then be tied together to form a knot. In minimally invasiveprocedures (e.g., arthroscopic or laparoscopic procedures), however, thesurgical site is not readily accessible and the surgeon's ability tothread the suture through the tissue manually is limited. Furthermore,the requisite instruments for retrieving the suture intracorporeally mayrequire an enlarged surgical site.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a suture passing instrumentincluding an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suturepusher, and a guide tube. The operation handle can have an actuatormovable between a first position and a second position. The cannulatedneedle member can extend from the operation handle and have a curved endportion. The cannulated needle member can have an outer sidewall and aninner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member forreceiving a suture. The suture pusher can be movable within the needlemember from a pusher retracted position to a pusher extended position.The guide tube can have a guide tube body adapted to telescopicallyreceive a retriever loop at a distal end thereof. The retriever loop canbe movable between a loop retracted position and a loop extendedposition. Upon moving the suture pusher from the pusher retractedposition to the pusher extended position a suture can be moved by thesuture pusher. Upon moving the retriever loop from a loop retractedposition to a loop extended position the suture can be captured by theretriever loop.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a method for passing asuture through a tissue with a suture passing instrument having acannulated needle member and a guide tube. The method can includeloading a suture shuttle relative to the cannulated needle member. Themethod can also include inserting a curved end portion of the cannulatedneedle member through the tissue. An operation handle can then berotated, while advancing the needle member through the tissue. Themethod can also include moving a retriever loop over the curved endportion of the needle member. A suture pusher located within the needlemember can then be extended to move the suture from the needle memberand capture the suture with the retriever loop. The method can theninclude retracting the retriever loop to pull the suture through thetissue. The needle member can then be removed from the tissue.

In another form, the present disclosure provides another suture passinginstrument including an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, asuture pusher, a guide tube, and a suture shuttle. The operation handlecan have at least one actuator movable between a first position and asecond position. The cannulated needle member can extend from theoperation handle and have a helical end portion. The cannulated needlemember can have an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a boreextending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suturepusher can be movable within the cannulated needle member from a pusherretracted position when the actuator is in the first position to apusher extended position when the actuator is in the second position.The guide tube can have a guide tube body adapted to movably receive aguide tube extension member. The guide tube extension member cantelescopically receive a retriever loop at a distal end thereof. Theguide tube extension member can be formed from a rigid material forguiding placement of the retriever loop between a loop retractedposition when the actuator is in the first position and a loop extendedposition when the actuator is in the second position. The retriever loopis compressed when in the loop retracted position and biased open whenin the loop extended position. The suture shuttle can be coupled to thesuture. Upon moving the actuator from the first position to the secondposition, the suture shuttle can be moved by the suture pusher andcaptured by the retriever loop.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a right-helix suture passing instrumentconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of an operation handle for the suturepassing instrument in a retracted position in accordance with theteachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of an operation handle for the suturepassing instrument in an extended position in accordance with theteachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the operation handle omitting all innermoving parts;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a first and second slide mechanism ofthe operation handle;

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a third slide mechanism of theoperation handle;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in a suture shuttle load position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in an initial operative position in association with a labrum tearwithin a glenohumeral joint;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the labrum tear of FIG. 4 taken throughsection 4A-4A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in an intermediate operative position depicting a guide tube advancedtoward a needle tip;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in an intermediate operative position depicting deployment of aretriever loop;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in an intermediate operative position depicting a shuttle pusheradvancing the suture shuttle from the needle tip;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in an intermediate operative position depicting the retriever loopcapturing the suture shuttle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG. 1in a final retracted position and being removed from the glenohumeraltissue;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the glenohumeral tissue after removalof the suture passing instrument and securement of the suture;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a left-helix suture passing instrumentin association with a handle member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a linear curve suture passinginstrument in association with a handle member;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate suture passing instrumentin a suture shuttle load position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in an initial operative position in association with a glenohumeraltissue;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in an intermediate operative position depicting a guide tube advancedtoward a needle tip;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in an intermediate operative position depicting deployment of aretriever loop;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in an intermediate operative position depicting a shuttle pusheradvancing the suture shuttle from the needle tip;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in an intermediate operative position depicting the retriever loopcapturing the suture shuttle;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the suture passing instrument of FIG.13 in a final retracted position and being removed from the glenohumeraltissue; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the glenohumeral tissue after removalof the suture passing instrument of FIG. 13 and securement of thesuture.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary innature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, itsapplication, or uses. It should be understood that throughout thedrawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts and features. With reference to FIGS. 1-20, variousmethods and apparatuses are disclosed according to the present teachingsfor passing a suture through an exemplary soft tissue, such as a labrum88 (FIG. 4A) within a glenohumeral joint, T. However, the variousapparatuses and methods may also be used for a plurality of proceduresand to repair other soft tissues in the anatomy, such as those damagedthrough trauma, overuse, surgical intervention, or disease. Therefore,the various apparatuses and methods should not be limited to use onlyfor tissue damage in the glenohumeral area. For example, the variousinstruments may be used to affix or hold a hamstring, Achilles tendonallograft, other soft tissue, or any other appropriate portion. Inaddition, although various embodiments may illustrate a suture knot forsecuring a selected tissue, it will be understood that any mode ofsecuring the afflicted tissue may be used.

Therefore, it will be understood that the following discussions are notintended to limit the scope of the present teachings or claims herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a right-helix suture passinginstrument is generally indicated by reference number 10. Suture passinginstrument 10 may be operable for passing a suture 12 (FIG. 4) throughthe labrum 88 to assist in repairing the joint. Unless specificallymentioned, the various components of the suture passing instrument 10are made of a biocompatible material, such as stainless steel, to allowfor sterilization using chemicals or autoclaving. It is understood thatselect components described herein can be made from non-stainless steelmaterials and therefore those select components may not be suitable forall sterilization techniques due to heat sensitivity or chemicalsensitivity of the materials. Moreover, suture passing instrument 10 maybe a single-use (i.e., disposable) or may be a standardized instrumentthat can be fitted with removable and replaceable components.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1 E the suturepassing instrument 10 is shown to include an operation handle 14, anelongated shaft or cannulated needle member 16, and a rigid guide tube18. The operation handle 14 further includes a handle body 20, anactuator 22 disposed thereon, and a slider mechanism 24 disposedtherein. As shown and described, the handle body 20 may include at leastone opening 26 at a distal end 28 for receiving the needle member 16 andthe guide tube 18, a central cavity 30 for receipt of a first, second,and third slide member 32, 36, 40 and a plurality of curved channels 34,35 located within the central cavity 30 for receipt of the first andsecond slide members 32, 36, respectively. A translation member 38 mayfixedly join the first and second slide members 32, 36 for concurrentlinear movement within the central cavity 30. The first and second slidemembers 32, 36 may move longitudinally within a pair of openings 37, 39defined by the third slide member 40, while following the curvedchannels 34, 35 of the central cavity 30. In particular, the first andsecond slide members 32, 36 are engaged by extending ledges 41, 43within the pair of openings 37, 39, respectively. The third slidemechanism 40 may be sized to allow only linear movement within thecentral cavity 30 and may be fixedly secured to the actuator 22 fordirect movement therewith. Furthermore, the handle body 20 may be formedfrom any biocompatible material (e.g., metal or polymer) and may alsoinclude a textured exterior surface 42 (e.g., knurl, padding) to providecomfort and/or grip for the operator.

As shown and described, the actuator 22 may be one or more triggermembers operable for actuating at least the slider mechanism 24 in alongitudinal movement along the handle body 20 from a first or retractedposition (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A) to a second or extended position(as shown in FIGS. 11 and 1B). It is also contemplated that the actuator22 may include multiple members 44 moving in tandem or movingindependently (e.g., as shown in phantom in FIG. 12). The actuator 22may define a centrally-raised, finger grip portion 46 for assisting anoperator in movement between the retracted and extended positions.Although not shown, the actuator 22 may also incorporate the texturedexterior surface (e.g., knurl, padding) to provide comfort and/or gripfor the operator.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the straight, cannulated needlemember 16 and guide tube 18 may extend from the distal end 28 of thehandle body 20. The guide tube 18 may be positioned parallel andadjacent to the cannulated needle member 16. The cannulated needlemember 16 and guide tube 18 may be fixedly coupled to both the operationhandle 14 and to each other in the parallel relationship to preventrelative movement therebetween. The cannulated needle member 16 andguide tube 18 may be fixedly coupled with any known device. As anon-limiting example, the cannulated needle member 16 and guide tube 18may have a connection member (not shown) located therebetween.

The cannulated needle member 16 may include an elongated, tubular shaft48 defining an exterior wall 50, a pointed tip 52 located at a distalend 54 of the shaft 48, and a recess or slot 56 in the exterior wall 50extending from the pointed tip 52. The elongated shaft 48 may have aproximal end 58 extending from the distal end 28 of the handle body 20and the distal end 54 terminating at the pointed tip 52. At least onebend or curve 60 may be generally located near the distal end 54 of theelongated shaft 48 and may exhibit a “pig-tail” shape or right helixcurve over its length. The distal end 54 of the shaft 48 may be rotatedto locate an end face 62 parallel to an axis, Y, of the guide tube 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the slot 56 may begin at the end face 62 andextend through the exterior wall 50 of the elongated shaft 48 for apredetermined distance to a widened slot end 64. The slot end 64 may besized to allow a suture shuttle 66 to be loaded transversely into thecannulated needle member 16 towards the end face 62, but not slip out ofthe narrowed slot 56. The suture shuttle 66 may include at least oneknot or bead 68, which may provide a filler and/or stiffness forengagement with a suture pusher 70 and may also provide an engageablemeans for retrieving the suture 12, as will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 7 below. In other words, the slot 56 providesclearance for the suture 12, but not for any of the beads 68 that areloaded through the slot end 64.

The beads 68 of the suture shuttle 66 may be any device known in the artfor providing a biocompatible and engageable means for the suture 12. Asnon-limiting examples, the beads 68 may be shaped nitinol balls crimpedonto the suture 12 or connected via a shrink tube. Furthermore, thesuture shuttle 66 may include any known suture material (e.g., a polymermaterial) or any other deformable material (e.g., a metal).Additionally, the suture shuttle 66 may have a retaining loop 72 at anend opposite the beads 68. The retaining loop 72 may fixedly hold thesuture 12 during operation of the suture passing instrument 10. In otherwords, the suture 12 is captured by way of the suture shuttle 66.Notably, however, the retaining loop 72 may be any other device forretaining the suture 12 (e.g., a hook, a jaw, a grasper, etc.).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, guide tube 18 may define aguide tube body 74, a guide tube extension member 76 telescopicallyreceived therein, and a retriever kite 78 retained within the guide tubeextension member 76. The body 74 may have a first, proximal end 80extending from the distal end 28 of the handle body 20 and a second,distal end 82 terminating near the distal end 54 of the shaft 48. Thedistal end 82 may incorporate a slight bend 84 so as to bring theretriever kite 78 into alignment with the end face 62 of the cannulatedneedle member 16. The guide tube extension member 76 may be retainedwithin the guide tube body 74 and may be coupled to or in communicationwith both the actuator 22 and the retriever kite 78. Therefore, movementof actuator 22 causes movement of the guide tube extension member 76 andthe retriever kite 78, as will be described in more detail below.

Retriever kite 78 may be shape set into a predetermined shape, (e.g., asubstantially diamond-shaped ring) from a flexible shape memory alloy(e.g., nitinol). In this way, the retriever kite 78 may be retainedwithin the guide tube extension member 76 in one arrangement, but may bedeployable into the final diamond-shaped arrangement. Furthermore, theguide tube extension member 76 functions to add rigidity, as well as toaccurately place the retriever kite 78 over the pointed tip 52 of theneedle member 16, when the retriever kite 78 is in its extendedposition, while not interfering with the tip 52 or tissue, T, when inits retracted position. In other words, the guide tube extension member76 positions the retriever kite 78 so that it is aligned with thetrajectory of the suture shuttle 66 as it is ejected from the cannulatedneedle member 16.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 through 3, the retriever kite 78 may extendthrough the guide tube extension member 76 and the guide tube body 74for direct connection with the second slide member 36 in the operationhandle 14. The translation member 38 may be fixedly attached to theguide tube extension member 76, while also being rigidly interconnectedwith the first slide member 32. The translation member 38 may alsoextend over the retriever kite 78 in the operation handle 14 allowingthe retriever kite 78 to move freely of the guide tube extension member38. Furthermore, the third slide member 40 may be fixedly attached tothe suture pusher 70.

The first and second slide members 32, 36 may include extending pins 86received by the curved channels 34, 35. In the retracted position (FIG.1A), the first, second, and third slide members 32, 36, 40 may belocated at a proximal position within the handle body 20. When theactuator 22 moves to the extended position (FIG. 1B), however, the slidemembers 32, 36, 40 are moved longitudinally toward the distal end 28 ofthe handle body 20, with the first slide member 32 moving along thecurved channel 34 and the second slide member 36 moving along the curvedchannel 35 (see FIG. 1C). In another words, when the third slide member40 (see FIG. 1E) moves longitudinally along the central cavity 30, theextending ledges 41, 43 drivingly contact the first and second slidemembers 32, 36 causing the slide members 32, 36 (see FIG. 1D) to slidealong the curved channels 34, 35. The extending pins 86 of the first andsecond slide members 32, 36 extend into the curved channels 34, 35directing the movement of the slide members 32. Notably, the curvedchannel 34 has a shorter length than the curved channel 35, causing thefirst slide member 32 to reach the end of the curved channel 34 andslide out of engagement with the extending ledge 41 before the secondslide member 36 reaches the end of the curved channel 35. As the secondslide member 36 moves towards the distal end 28 of the handle body 20,the extending pin 86, likewise, curves the second slide member 36 awayfrom engagement with the extending ledge 43, removing the associatedlongitudinal translation force. Notably, however, the actuator 22continues to move the third slide member 40 and, in turn, the suturepusher 70 towards the distal end 28 of the handle body 20.

Operation of the suture passing instrument 10 will now be described withreference to the labrum 88 of the glenohumeral joint, T, shown in FIGS.4-10 and the slider mechanism 24 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The labrum 88is depicted in detail in FIG. 4A as it is within the glenohumeral joint,T, but it is obstructed from view in the other figures in order to shownpositioning of the helix in the tissue. It should be understood,however, that the repair as described herein is being completed on thelabrum 88. Initially with the actuator 22 in the retracted position, thesuture shuttle 66 is loaded into the slot 56 in the cannulated needlemember 16 through the widened slot end 64. The suture shuttle 66 may beloaded into the slot 56 with a first bead 94 entering the widened slotend 64 and moving distally towards the end face 62. Once all beads 68have been inserted into the tubular shaft 48, they may terminate nearthe pointed tip 52 with the suture 12 extending from the slot end 64(FIG. 3).

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the pointed tip 52 of the distalend 54 is brought into contact with the labrum 88 of the glenohumeraljoint, T, with no rotational movement. The sharpened point of the tip 52pierces the ligament, T, and allows the suture passing instrument 10 toestablish an opening 96 within the labrum 88 within the joint, T. As thesuture passing instrument 10 is inserted through the opening 96, theoperation handle 14 is rotated in a counter-clockwise manner, as shownby rotational arrow 98, in order to maintain a minimal size for theopening 96. The operation handle 14 may be rotated anywhere betweenapproximately one-quarter of a turn to one full revolution to extend thecannulated needle member 16 out of the ligament, T. The amount ofrotation for the operation handle 14 may depend upon the dimensionalshape of the curve 60 of the distal end 54. The final orientation of thedistal end 54 is shown in phantom.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 5, after the distal end 54 of thecannulated needle member 16 is fully and thoroughly inserted into theligament, T, the actuator 22 begins movement to the extended position.The actuator 22 is fixedly attached to the slider mechanism 24, so thatlongitudinal movement of the actuator 22 to the extended position, inturn, causes movement of the slider mechanism 24. In particular, theactuator 22 drives the third slide member 40 towards the distal end 28of the handle body 20. This longitudinal movement causes the first andsecond slide members 32, 36 to translate in the openings 37, 39 byengagement with the extending ledges 41, 43 of the third slide member40. The extending pins 86 of the first and second slide members 32, 36follow the curved channels 34, 35 and the central cavity 30,respectively. As previously described, the translation movement of thefirst and second slide members 32, 36 cause the guide tube extensionmember 76 and the retriever kite 78 to extend through the guide tubebody 74 at an equivalent speed. Concurrently, the third slide member 40is driven longitudinally by the actuator 22 causing the suture pusher 70to extend through and out of the cannulated needle member 16.Accordingly, the guide tube extension member 76 moves distally out ofthe guide tube body 74 towards the end face 62 of the cannulated needlemember 16.

As the first slide member 32 reaches the end of the curved channel 34,the extending pin 86 moves the slide member 32 out of alignment with theextending ledge 41 of the third slide member 40. The length of thecurved channel 34 allows the guide tube extension member 76 to extendout of the guide tube body 74 by a predetermined distance. Accordingly,as the driving force of the actuator 22 is removed from the first slidemember 32 the guide tube extension member 76 ceases longitudinalmovement.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6, the second slide member 36continues its longitudinal translation through the curved channel 35 inthe central cavity 30, extending the retriever kite 78 as it moves. Asshould be understood, the retriever kite 78 continues movement with thesecond slide member 36, which causes its extension from the guide tubeextension member 76 and the guide tube body 74. In this motion, theretriever kite 78 opens from a collapsed condition and extends outwardlyfrom the guide tube extension member 76 and over the end face 62 of thecannulated needle member 16.

Once the second slide member 36 reaches the end of the curved channel35, the extending pin 86 of the second slide member 36 also curves theslide member 36 away from alignment with the extending ledge 43 of thethird slide member 40, removing its longitudinal driving force. Thelength of the curved channel 35 allows the retriever kite 78 to extendout of the guide tube extension member 76 by a predetermined distance.Accordingly, as the driving force of the actuator 22 is removed from thesecond slide member 36 the retriever kite 78 also ceases longitudinalmovement.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 7, once the retriever kite 78 islocated over the end face 62 of the needle member 16, the actuator 22directly advances the suture pusher 70 through the elongated shaft 48.In other words, the actuator 22 is directly coupled to the third slidemember 40, which is fixedly secured to the suture pusher 70 for axialtranslation of the suture pusher 70. The actuator 22 may continuelongitudinal movement of the third slide member 40 until the translationmember 38 contacts the distal end 28 of the handle body 20. Oncetranslated, the beads 68 of the suture shuttle 66 are engaged by thesuture pusher 70 to force the suture shuttle 66 out of the distal end 54of the needle member 16. Thereafter, the suture shuttle 66 is pushedthrough the deployed retriever kite 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 8, after the suture 12 extendsthrough the deployed retriever kite 78, the operator may then return theactuator 22 to the retracted position. The suture pusher 70 returns toits initial position within the elongated shaft 48, by translating thethird slide member 40 within the central cavity 30. The retriever kite78 collapses as it is retracted into the guide tube extension member 76.As the retriever kite 78 collapses, it captures the suture shuttle 66.It should be understood, however, that the retriever kite 78 might notfully retract into the guide tube extension member 76 as the capture ofthe suture shuttle 66 may prevent complete retraction.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 9, the retraction of theactuator 22 applies a reverse longitudinal force to the slider mechanism24. In particular, the actuator 22 drives the slider mechanism 24towards a proximal end 104 of the handle body 20. The longitudinalmovement of the actuator 22 drives the third slide member 40 towards theproximal end 104 of the handle body 20. The third slide member 40engages the first and second slide members 32, 36 with stop surfaces105, 107 causing the first and second slide members 32, 36 to translatein a reverse direction along the curved channels 34, 35. The concurrentmovement of the first and second slide members 32, 36 causes the guidetube extension member 76 and the retriever kite 78 to retract into theguide tube body 74. Notably, the suture shuttle 66 prevents the suture12 from sliding out of the retracted retriever kite 78. The cannulatedneedle member 16 may then be withdrawn from the ligament, T. Withdrawalof the cannulated needle member 16 is accomplished in reverse ofinsertion (i.e., rotation occurs in a clockwise motion), as shown byrotational arrow 106, with the needle member 16 being removed from theligament, T, at the opening 96.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the suture passing instrument 10 is removedfrom the surgical site. After this motion is complete, the suture 12will be threaded through the opening 96 within the glenohumeralligament, T. The suture shuttle 66 can then be removed from the suture12 and the ends of the suture 12 can then be knotted 108 outside of thesurgical opening for a minimally invasive repair.

With reference now to FIG. 11, an alternative suture passing instrument200 is shown. Suture passing instrument 200 is also operable for passingthe suture 12 through the labrum 88 to assist in repairing the joint, aspreviously described with respect to suture passing instrument 10.Furthermore, many of the components of suture passing instrument 10remain unchanged in suture passing instrument 200. For example, suturepassing instrument 200 uses a similar operation handle 14 and guide tube18. Suture passing instrument 200, however, exhibits a left helix curveat a distal end 254 of a needle member 216, instead of the right helixcurve described with respect to the suture passing instrument 10.Accordingly, during insertion of the suture passing instrument 200, theoperation handle 14 must be rotated in a clockwise manner in order tomaintain the minimal size for the opening 96. While suture passinginstrument 10 and suture passing instrument 200 are highly similar,certain surgeons may prefer one design to the other due to right- orleft-hand dominance or for other reasons not articulated herein.

Referring now to FIG. 12, another alternative suture passing instrument300 is shown. Suture passing instrument 300 is also operable for passingthe suture 12 through the labrum 88 to assist in repairing the joint, aspreviously described with respect to suture passing instrument 10.Furthermore, many of the components of suture passing instrument 10remain unchanged in suture passing instrument 300. For example, suturepassing instrument 300 uses a similar operation handle 14 and guide tube18. Suture passing instrument 300, however, exhibits a linear curve(i.e., “ice cream scoop”) at an end 354 of a needle member 316, insteadof the right helix curve at the distal end 54 described with respect tothe suture passing instrument 10. Accordingly, during insertion of thesuture passing instrument 300, the operation handle 14 need only to bemoved in a single plane in order to maintain the minimal size for theopening 96. While suture passing instrument 10 and suture passinginstrument 300 are highly similar, certain surgeons may prefer onedesign to the other due to space considerations or for other reasons notarticulated herein.

With reference now to FIG. 13, yet another alternative suture passinginstrument 400 is shown. Suture passing instrument 400 is also operablefor passing the suture 12 through the labrum 88 of the glenohumeraljoint, T, to assist in repairing the tissue, as previously describedwith respect to suture passing instrument 10. Furthermore, suturepassing instrument 400 uses a similar operation handle 14, guide tube18, and suture shuttle 66, which is not shown and will not be describedin detail herein. However, suture passing instrument 400 includes acannulated needle member 416 extending from the distal end 28 of theoperation handle 14 having an alternately designed distal end 454. Boththe needle member 416 and guide tube 18 may be fixedly coupled to theoperation handle 14 and maintain a parallel relationship for preventingrelative movement therebetween.

The needle member 416 may include an elongated, tubular shaft 448defining an exterior wall 450, a pointed tip 452 located at a distal end454 of the elongated shaft 448, and a notch 456 in the exterior wall 450extending from the pointed tip 452. Notably, the notch 456 is muchnarrower and shallow than the slot 56 of the cannulated needle member16. Accordingly, the overall strength and integrity of cannulated needlemember 416 is improved over that of the cannulated needle member 16.Although not shown, it should be understood that the notch 456 may alsobe completely omitted from the cannulated needle member 416.

The elongated shaft 448 may extend from the end 28 of the handle body 20to the distal end 454 terminating at the pointed tip 452. At least onebend or curve 460 may be generally located near the distal end 454 ofthe elongated shaft 448 and may exhibit a “pig-tail” shape or righthelix curve over its length. The distal end 454 of the shaft 448 may berotated to locate an end face 462 parallel to an axis, Y, of the guidetube 18.

The notch 456 may begin at the end face 462 and extend through theexterior wall 450 of the elongated shaft 448 for a predetermineddistance to a slot end 464. The notch 456 may be sized to allow thesuture shuttle 66 to be passed through the end face 462 of the pointedtip 452 of the cannulated needle member 416 with the suture 12 extendingoutwardly at the slot end 464. When the notch 456 is omitted, the suture12 will not extend out of the slot end 464, bur rather out of the endface 462 of the pointed tip 452 of the cannulated needle member 416. Thecannulated needle member 416 may also include a suture pusher 470 withinthe elongated shaft 448 for engaging the suture shuttle 66, as will bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 18 below.

Operation of the suture passing instrument 400 will now be describedwith reference to the glenohumeral ligament, T, shown in FIGS. 13-20 andthe slider mechanism 24 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Initially with theactuator 22 in the retracted position, the suture shuttle 66 is loadedinto the cannulated needle member 416 through the end face 462, beads 68first, with the suture 12 extending out of the notch 456. Once all beads68 have been inserted into the tubular shaft 448, they may terminatenear the pointed tip 452 with the suture 12 extending from the slot end464 (FIG. 13).

With particular reference to FIG. 14, the pointed tip 452 of the distalend 454 is brought into contact with the labrum 88 (FIG. 4) of theglenohumeral joint, T, with no rotational movement. The sharpened pointof the tip 452 pierces the ligament, T, and allows the suture passinginstrument 400 to establish an opening 496 within the ligament, T. Asthe suture passing instrument 400 is inserted into the opening 496within the ligament, T, the operation handle 14 is rotated in acounter-clockwise manner, as shown by rotational arrow 498, in order tomaintain a minimal size for the opening 496. The operation handle 14 maybe rotated anywhere between approximately one-quarter of a turn to onefull revolution to extend the cannulated needle member 416 out of theligament, T. The amount of rotation for the operation handle 14 maydepend upon the dimensional shape of the curve 460 at the distal end454. The final orientation of the distal end 454 is shown in phantom.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 15, after the distal end 454 of thecannulated needle member 416 is fully and thoroughly inserted into theligament, T, the actuator 22 is moved to the extended position. Theactuator 22 is fixedly attached to the slider mechanism 24, so thatlongitudinal movement of the actuator 22 to the extended position, inturn, causes movement of the slider mechanism 24. In particular, theactuator 22 drives the third slide member 40 towards the distal end 28of the handle body 20. This longitudinal movement causes the first andsecond slide members 32, 36 to translate in the openings 37, 39 byengagement with the extending ledges 41, 43 of the third slide member40. The extending pins 86 of the first and second slide members 32, 36follow the curved channels 34, 35 and the central cavity 30,respectively. As previously described, the translation movement of thefirst and second slide members 32, 36 cause the guide tube extensionmember 76 and the retriever kite 78 to extend through the guide tubebody 74 at an equivalent speed. Concurrently, the third slide member 40is driven longitudinally by the actuator 22 causing the suture pusher470 to extend through and out of the cannulated needle member 416.Accordingly, the guide tube extension member 76 of the guide tube 18moves distally out of the guide tube body 74 towards the end face 462 ofthe cannulated needle member 416.

As the first slide member 32 reaches the end of the curved channel 34,the extending pin 86 moves the slide member 32 out of alignment with theextending ledge 41 of the third slide member 40. The length of thecurved channel 34 allows the guide tube extension member 76 to extendout of the guide tube body 74 by a predetermined distance. Accordingly,as the driving force of the actuator 22 is removed from first slidemember 32 the guide tube extension member 76 ceases longitudinalmovement.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 16, the second slide member 36continues its longitudinal translation through the curved channel 35 inthe central cavity 30, extending the retriever kite 78 as it moves. Asshould be understood, the retriever kite 78 continues movement with thesecond slide member 36, which causes its extension from the guide tubeextension member 76 and the guide tube body 74. In this motion, theretriever kite 78 extends outwardly from the guide tube extension member76 and over the end face 462 of the cannulated needle member 416.

Once the second slide member 36 reaches the end of the curved channel35, the extending pin 86 of the second slide member 36 also curves theslide member 36 away from alignment with the extending ledge 43 of thethird slide member 40, removing its longitudinal driving force. Thelength of the curved channel 35 allows the retriever kite 78 to extendout of the guide tube extension member 76 by a predetermined distance.Accordingly, as the driving force of the actuator 22 is removed from thesecond slide member 36 the retriever kite 78 also ceases longitudinalmovement.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 17, once the retriever kite 78 islocated over the end face 462 of the needle member 416, the actuator 22directly advances the suture pusher 470 through the elongated shaft 448,engaging the beads 68 of the suture shuttle 66 and forcing it out of thedistal end 454 of the needle member 416. In other words, the actuator 22is directly coupled to the third slide member 40, which is fixedlysecured to the suture pusher 470 to axially translate the suture pusher470. The suture shuttle 66 is pushed through the deployed retriever kite78.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 18, after both the suture shuttle 66and the suture 12 extend through the deployed retriever kite 78, theoperator may then return the actuator 22 to the retracted position. Thesuture pusher 470 returns to its initial position within the elongatedshaft 448 by translating the third slide member 40 within the centralcavity 30. The retriever kite 78 is retracted into the guide tubeextension member 76. It should be understood, however, that theretriever kite 78 might not fully retract into the guide tube extensionmember 76 as the capture of the suture shuttle 66 may prevent completeretraction. Notably, the suture shuttle 66 prevents the suture 12 fromsliding out of the retracted retriever kite 78.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 19, the retraction of theactuator 22 applies a reverse longitudinal force to the slider mechanism24. In particular, the actuator 22 drives the slider mechanism 24towards the proximal end 104 of the handle body 20. The longitudinalmovement of the actuator 22 drives the third slide member 40 towards theproximal end 104 of the handle body 20. The third slide member 40engages the first and second slide members 32, 36 with stop surfaces105, 107 causing the first and second slide members 32, 36 to translatein a reverse direction along the curved channels 34, 35. The concurrentmovement of the first and second slide members 32, 36 causes the guidetube extension member 76 and the retriever kite 78 to retract into theguide tube body 74. Notably, the suture shuttle 66 prevents the suture12 from sliding out of the retracted retriever kite 78. The cannulatedneedle member 416 may then be withdrawn from the ligament, T. Withdrawalof the cannulated needle member 416 is accomplished in reverse ofinsertion (i.e., rotation occurs in a clockwise motion), as shown byrotational arrow 406 with the needle member 416 being removed from theligament, T, at the tissue opening 496.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the suture passing instrument 400 is removedfrom the surgical site. After this motion is complete, the suture 12will be threaded through the opening 496 within the glenohumeralligament, T. The suture shuttle 66 can then be removed from the suture12 and the ends of the suture 12 can then be knotted 508 outside of thesurgical opening for a minimally invasive repair.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. Incertain embodiments, for example, it may be necessary to immovablysecure the needle members and guide tubes. Furthermore, the completeomission of the guide tube extension member and/or the suture shuttle iscontemplated. Additionally, the actuator 22 has been described as beingmovable between two positions; however, the actuator 22 may be movablebetween any number of positions to enable greater flexibility for theoperator, as necessary. Furthermore, the suture passing instruments mayincorporate either a removable or integrally formed needle member. Theremovable needle member may be connected to the elongated shaft throughany known means, such as, bayonet slot, threading, or interference fit.Furthermore, the removable needle member may be selected from aplurality of needle members or from a pre-packaged kit.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suture passing instrument comprising: anoperation handle having an actuator movable between a first position anda second position; a cannulated needle member extending from theoperation handle and having a curved end portion, the cannulated needlemember having an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a boreextending through the needle member for receiving a suture and anelongated slot extending from an end face of the cannulated needle andcommunicating with the bore; a suture pusher movable within the needlemember from a pusher retracted position to a pusher extended position; asuture shuttle loaded transversely through the elongated slot into thebore cannulated needle and operable to be coupled to a suture, thesuture shuttle having at least one bead and movable along the bore bythe suture pusher; and a guide tube having a guide tube body adapted totelescopically receive a retriever loop at a distal end thereof, whereinthe retriever loop is movable between a loop retracted position and aloop extended position outside the guide tube, wherein upon moving thesuture pusher from the pusher retracted position to the pusher extendedposition, the suture shuttle and the a suture can be moved by the suturepusher, and wherein the suture shuttle is configured such that uponmoving the retriever loop from a loop retracted position to a loopextended position the suture can be captured by the retriever loopoutside the guide tube.
 2. The suture passing instrument of claim 1,wherein the curved end portion is one of a right helix curve, a lefthelix curve, or a linear curve.
 3. The suture passing instrument ofclaim 1, wherein the suture is captured by the retriever loop upon theretriever loop being retracted about the at least one bead.
 4. Thesuture passing instrument of claim 3, wherein the at least one bead isone of a deformable metal and a polymer.
 5. The suture passinginstrument of claim 3, wherein the suture shuttle defines one of aretaining loop, a hook, a jaw, and a grasper for fixedly securing to thesuture.
 6. The suture passing instrument of claim 3, wherein the suturepusher engages the suture shuttle when in the pusher extended position.7. The suture passing instrument of claim 3, wherein the slot is formedin the curved end portion and extends transversely from the end face fora predetermined length from the inner sidewall to the outer sidewall. 8.The suture passing instrument of claim 7, wherein the slot includes awidened end for transversely receiving the suture shuttle.
 9. The suturepassing instrument of claim 1, wherein the guide tube body movablyreceives a guide tube extension member for guiding the retriever loop,the guide tube extension member being formed from a rigid material forguiding placement of the retriever loop.
 10. The suture passinginstrument of claim 1, wherein the retriever loop is biased open when inthe loop extended position.
 11. The suture passing instrument of claim1, wherein the actuator further comprises a first member operable foractuating the suture pusher between the pusher retracted and extendedpositions, and a second member operable for actuating the retriever loopbetween the loop retracted and extended positions.
 12. The suturepassing instrument of claim 1, wherein a slider mechanism is disposedwithin the operation handle, the slider mechanism further comprising:first and second slides axially movable along a pair of correspondingchannels defined by the operation handle; a third slide axially movablewithin the operation handle; and a translation member in communicationwith at least one of the first and second slides for moving theretriever loop between the loop retracted and extended positions.
 13. Amethod for passing a suture through a tissue with a suture passinginstrument having a cannulated needle member and a guide tube, themethod comprising: securing a suture to a suture shuttle having at leastone bead; loading the suture shuttle transversely through a slotextending transversely from an end face of the cannulated needle memberand into a bore of the cannulated needle member; inserting a curved endportion of the cannulated needle member through the tissue; rotating anoperation handle while advancing the needle member through the tissue;moving a retriever loop through and outside the guide tube over thecurved end portion of the needle member; extending a suture pusherlocated within the cannulated needle member to move the suture shuttleand the suture from the needle member and capture the suture with theretriever loop outside the guide tube; retracting the retriever loop topull the suture through the tissue; and removing the needle member fromthe tissue.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the bead is a deformablebead.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: passing the atleast one deformable bead into the cannulated needle member through awidened portion of the slot of the cannulated needle member.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising: passing the at least onedeformable bead into the cannulated needle member through the end faceof the cannulated needle member, the suture extending through the slotof the cannulated needle member.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinextending the suture pusher further comprises capturing the sutureshuttle with the retriever loop.
 18. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: deploying a guide tube extension member before deploying theretriever loop, wherein the retriever loop is telescopically receivedwithin the guide tube extension member and the guide tube extensionmember is telescopically received within the guide tube.
 19. The methodof claim 13, further comprising: passing the suture through the tissuewhile removing the needle member from the tissue.
 20. A suture passinginstrument comprising: an operation handle having at least one actuatormovable between a first position and a second position; a cannulatedneedle member extending from the operation handle and having a helicalend portion, the cannulated needle member having an outer sidewall andan inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle memberfor receiving a suture; a suture pusher movable within the cannulatedneedle member from a pusher retracted position when the actuator is inthe first position to a pusher extended position when the actuator is inthe second position; a guide tube having a guide tube body adapted tomovably receive a guide tube extension member, the guide tube extensionmember telescopically receiving a retriever loop at a distal endthereof, wherein the guide tube extension member is formed from a rigidmaterial for guiding placement of the retriever loop between a loopretracted position when the actuator is in the first position and a loopextended position when the actuator is in the second position, whereinthe retriever loop is compressed when in the loop retracted position andbiased open when in the loop extended position outside the guide tube;and a suture shuttle coupled to the suture and having at least one bead,the suture shuttle received within the bore of the cannulated needlemember, the suture shuttle configured such that upon moving the actuatorfrom the first position to the second position the suture shuttle can bemoved by the suture pusher along the bore and captured by the retrieverloop outside the guide tube.
 21. The suture passing instrument of claim20, wherein a slot extends transversely from an end face of the helicalend portion for a predetermined length from the inner sidewall to theouter sidewall.
 22. The suture passing instrument of claim 21, whereinthe least one bead passes into the cannulated needle member through awidened portion of the slot.
 23. The suture passing instrument of claim21, wherein the at least one bead passes into the cannulated needlemember through an end face of the cannulated needle member, the sutureextending through the slot.
 24. The suture passing instrument of claim20, wherein the actuator further comprises a first member operable foractuating the guide tube extension member between retracted and extendedpositions, a second member operable for actuating the retriever loopbetween the loop retracted and extended positions, and a third memberoperable for actuating the suture pusher between the pusher retractedand extended positions.